IGU reaction to the IEA World Energy Outlook 2017

The International Gas Union (IGU) has welcomed the information released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in this year’s World Energy Outlook (WEO), with its fuel focus on natural gas.

The Outlook suggests that the prospects for natural gas “will be determined by how it is assessed by policy-makers and prospective consumers against three criteria: is it affordable, is it secure, and is it clean?” The IGU argues strongly that the response to all three questions is an emphatic ‘yes’.

As stated in this year’s WEO, global gas consumption is set to grow at an average rate of 1.6% per year to 2040 – a higher growth projection than oil or coal – and is expected to account for a quarter of global energy demand by the same date (according to the IEA’s New Policies Scenario). These growth projections highlight the critical importance of gas in the global energy mix - both as a sustainable and affordable option, and as an option that complements the rising use of renewable energies.

The IGU commends the IEA for recognising the enormous versatility benefit of gas and strongly agrees with the IEA’s comments that “it can play multiple roles across the energy system in a way that no other fuel or technology can match, generating power, heat, and mobility with fewer CO2 and pollutant emissions than other fossil fuels”.

“This year’s WEO is extremely positive for the natural gas industry – highlighting the absolutely essential role we have to play in the global energy mix delivering an affordable, versatile and sustainable fuel,” said David Carroll, President of the IGU. “In addition, the IGU fully supports urgent and increased efforts towards climate change mitigation. We strongly believe natural gas is perfectly positioned to make a significant positive impact to air quality, while reducing carbon emissions.”

The environmental argument for natural gas is also highlighted by the IEA, as a fuel that releases 40% less CO2 than the combustion of coal and 20% less than the burning of oil. As such, natural gas can play an extremely positive role in improving urban air quality and reducing air pollution - a cause linked to over nine million deaths, or one in every six deaths globally, in 2015.

The WEO also examines the role of methane emissions in the natural gas value chain – as the natural gas industry continues to further its efforts to mitigate methane emissions. Methane is the primary component of natural gas, and reductions of methane emissions are important for operational efficiency, safety, and environmental excellence. The natural gas industry has and continues to focus on measurement, documentation, and reduction efforts. The IGU is committed to work with the industry to:

Improve confidence in the accuracy of measurement, quantification, and reporting of methane emissions through sharing of latest developments in field and academic research.

Encourage systematic reduction of methane emissions through operations management, including the sharing of the most effective approaches within and across the value chain.